Page 45 - William B. Lake

Pre-Operations Training in the UK

The following describes Bill’s transit to the UK and his subsequent period in advanced training
while preparing for active service in squadron flight operations.

Transit via Troopship from Canada to UK
From 20-July-1944 to 27-July-44

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Bill embarked in Canada on 20 July 1944 and disembarked in the UK on 27 July after 7 days in
relatively fast troopship (converted ocean liner). The troopship’s route was from Port of Halifax in
Nova Scotia across the Atlantic Ocean and via the Irish Sea to a port in the UK. Unfortunately,
there is no indication of the name of the ship in Bill’s war record. But it is evident during this period
of the war that he would have disembarked at either Liverpool Port or else from the Port of
Greenock in Scotland.

Key to Bill’s Locations (Refer to Map Number Sequence)

1. Padgate ………... 11 PDRC - Arrival Holding Centre
2. Penrhos ………... 9(O) AFU - Advanced Flying Unit
3. Moreton in Marsh 21 OTU - Operations Training Unit
4. Lindholme ……... 1656 HCU - Heavy Conversion Unit
5. North Luffenham 1653 HCU - Heavy Conversion Unit
6. Fiskerton ...……. 576 RAF Squadron Operations Airfield
7. Gamston ………. 9 ACHU - Aircrew Holding Unit
8. Brighton ………... 11 PDRC - Arrival-Departure Centre